Spare tire cover



May 5, 1936, A. P, FERGUESON SPARE TIRE COVER Filed Nov. 16, 1933 3Sheets-Sheet 1 may 5, @36 A. P. FERGUESON l 2903958@ SPARE TIRE COVERFied NOV. 16,71935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1l/5.27 .l E P ARTHUR fp.Ff-W60E5a/V.

'May 5, E936. A. P. FERGUESON SPARE TIRE COVER Filed Nov. 16, 1933 5Sheets-Sheet 5 ARTHUR P. FEPG UES'O/v.

Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFF'ICE SPARE TIRE oovnnArthur P. Fergueson, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Lyon Cover Company,Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application November 16, 1933,Serial No. 698,259

15 Claims. (Cl. 150-54) This invention has to do with tire covers. Onthe drawings:

Itis an object of the invention to provide a tire Figure 1 is anelevational view of the invention cover construction embodying means forcovermounted on a Spare Wheel and tire. ing substantially the entireouter side of a spare Figure 2 iS a fragmentary, enlarged SeCtiOnalwheel and tire, yet embodying means rendering view taken substantiallyin the plane ydesignated 5 the tire valve accessible without requiringreby the line II-II in Figure 1, certain parts being moi/a1 0f the @ovenshown .for convenience in elevation.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Figure 3 is afragmentary rear elevational view vide a tire cover side plate of thedrum type with taken substantially as indicated by the .line meansmounted upon the side thereof and ar- III-111m Figure 2. 10 ranged to beheld automatically in closed or open Figure 4 iS a fragmentary SectionalView taken position, as desired, for selectively providing andsubstantially in the planes designated by the line precluding access tothe tire valve. IV-IV in Fig. 3.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Figure 5 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional vide in the side of a drum type wheel and tireviewof a modified form of tire cover and closure 15 cover, a doorarranged to be located in juxtapoconstruction. sition to the free end ofa tire valve and arranged Figure 6 is a view similar lto that of Figure3 to be held by over-center or toggle mechanism but Showing theVmodified .closure construction of selectively in open and closedpositions. Figure 5.

It is still another object of the invention to Figure '7 is afragmentary rear elevational view 20 provide a drum type tire coverhaving a crossof the tire `cover centering and supporting meanssectional shape conforming generally to that of of Figure 5.

a spare wheel and tire mounted thereon, and em- Figure 8 is afragmentary sectional view of a, bodying means rendering the tire valvereadily somewhat further modified .form of the invenaccessible, saidmeans being formed so as to hartion. 25 mcnize with the remainder of thecover, Figure'9 is a rear elevational `view of the closure In accordancewith the general features of the structure of Figure 8. invention, thetire cover construction embodying Figure 10 is a fragmentary `sectionalview of the invention is preferably of the drum 'type so anothermodification of the invention, wherein as to conceal the spare wheel andtire on one side, the closure is opened by beingswung downwardly 30 andis provided with a closure located so as to lbe instead of upwardly.

positioned in front of the protruding end of the Figure 11 is afragmentary rear elevational spare tire valve. The closure covers anopening view of'thestructure shown in Figure 10.

in the cover and is releasably and yieldably held Referring now moreparticularly to the drawin closed or open position, as desired, by aspring ings, the'tire cover shown in conjunction with the 35 controlledover-center or toggle mechanism to modifications of Figures 1to4'inclusive comprises which the closure is connected. Said mechanism apreferably resilient split rim or tread covering is preferably mountedon the inner side of the member I and a drum type side plate 2 formedcover and the latter is preferably depressed so to conceal the entireouter or front side of the that when the closure is in closed position,its tire A and spare wheel B. `A cushion strip 3 car- 40 outer surfaceconstitutes substantially a continried by the member 2 so as to preventmetal to uation of the surrounding surface of the cover metal contactbetween the same and the 'memfrom the outside thereof, so that theaesthetic 'ber I is preferably provided. YrIhe member I effect of theouter surface of the cover as a whole serves not only to hold itself inproper position is substantially unimpaired. on the tire, but to alsohold the side member 2 45 The invention is embodied in different formsin substantially coaxial relation to and against which will behereinafter fully described. the tire as shown, said member I beingexpansible 'Ihe cover may be formed with a central openin order Vtoenable the 'same to be removed and ing to receive a hub cap and withspring guiding Y'thus allow the 'side :member 2 to be removed 50 andholding means for holding the cover in sub- It will be observed that themembers I and ,2 stantially coaxial relation to the spare wheel and areso shaped in cross-section as to substantially tire. correspond to theshape of the spare wheel and Further objects and advantages of theinventire so as to simulate the same when mounted tion will appear asthe description proceeds. thereon. The side plate 2 is accordinglybulged `55 centrally at 4 to accommodate the protruding portion of thehub C of the spare wheel, and is formed intermediate its central' andtire covering portion With an annular depressed portion 5 preferablyarranged to be positioned adjacent the free end of the tire valve D.

The means about to be described for aifording access to the valve D.without necessitating removal vof the tire cover is shown in Figures 1,2, 3 and 4 as applied toa tire cover construction embodying a pluralityof parts as described. It is to be understood, however, that said meansis entirely independent of the number of parts com# prising the tirecover, andis therefore as applicable to a cover of the character shownin Figures 1 Vand 2 as to a single piece tire cover, for example, or anyother tire cover construction which embodies a side portion such asshown in these figures.

In the form-of the invention shown in Figures 1 Vto 4, inclusive, aportion of' the depressed part 5 in preferably the general shape of acircle is provided with an vopening 6 and bul'ged or depressed at `1 toreceive a, closure 8. The opening 6 and depressed portion 1, While shownto be substantiallycircular, are so shaped merely for convenience, andmaybe rectangular or otherwise shaped ifdesired. Y

The` depth of the depression 1 is preferably equal to the correspondingdimension of the closure 8 so that when the latter, which preferablysubstantially lls the depression 1, is positioned therein so as toconceal the opening 6 and engage the bottom of the depression 1, theouter concave surface 9 constitutes substantially a continuation of thedepressed part 5.

It will be understood that vit is not necessary that the closure 8 beformed in a depression in the tire cover, and that it is so disclosedherein forV illustrative purposes only.

Secured to the bottom of the depression 1 as by a rivet I8, spot-Weldingor other suitable means, is a spring II which extends preferablyradially from the place of securement substantially'beyond thedepression, is then bent upon itself, formed .with a rearwardlyextending kink I2, engages itself inwardly of the kink and then has itsends in divergent relationship, as at I3. The spring II is formed so asto maintain said en`- gagement yieldably.

For the purpose of anchoring the closure 8 to the spring I I, agenerally U-shaped bail I4 is provided. The free ends I5 of the bail I4are preferably shaped to conform with the periphery of the closure 8 andare secured thereto by ears I6 extending inwardly from and bent aboutthe ends I5 so as to embrace the same as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4.Each arm I1 of the bail I4, between its end I5 and the bight I8 of thebail, is generally V-shaped in a plane substantially normal to thegeneral direction of the bight I8. The bight I8 is formed with astraight central portion and kinked end portions I9. The straightportion, when the bail is to be assembled with the spring II, is placedin the space I3 between the ends of the spring II and forced outwardlyso as tobe snapped into the kink I2 of the spring, as shown in Figures2, 3 and 4. The kinks I9 of the bail I4 have an eccentricity relative totherstraight portion of the bight I8 in excess of the distance of thekink |2 of the spring from the opposite side of the spring, when thespring is closed or substantially closed, and the kinks I9 extend fromthe straight portion of the bight I8 at such anangle that, when saidkinks I9 are disposed on one side of dead center relative tothe spring II, the closure 8 is in closed position as shown in Figures 2 and 3, andwhen said kinks I9 are on the other side of dead center, the closure 8is yieldably held in open posi.- tion as shown in Figure 4. The kinks I9engage the rear surface of the depression 5 in straddling relation .tothe spring II. The opening movement of the closure 8 is terminated uponengagement of the arms I1 with the bottom ofV the depressed portion 1 asshown in Figure 4.

The spring I I thus serves' to yieldably hold the closure 8 lselectivelyin closed and open positions. The springpressure is preferablysufciently great to prevent accidental removal of the bail therefrom,and to hold the closure 8 so as to prevent rattling between the same andthe tire cover member 2. Movement of the closure 8 from closed positionmay be initiated by placing the finger nail or any appropriateinstrument, such as a nail, key, 4screw driver or the like behind theouter peripheral edge as at 20 of the closure 8 and pulling outwardly onthe same sufficiently to cause the kinks I9 to pass dead center relativeto the spring II. To facilitate this, the closure 8 may be formed withan acutely extending ange portion or may be out away to provide a slotor opening, preferably substantially diametrically opposite the springII.

When the closure 8 is in closed position, it entirely conceals theVopening 6, the rivet I0, spring I I vand bail I4. When the closure 8 isin open position as shown in Figure 4, the opening 6 is revealed, andsaid opening is of such size as to reveal the free end of the tire valveD, rendering the same readily accessible to the hand so that the valvemay be readily connected to a source of air supply Without necessitatingremoval of the tire cover.

The tire cover parts I and 2 are preferably made of sheet material,sheet metal having been found to be eflicacious. The closure 8 may beformed of like sheet material if desired, or may be made of any othersuitable material, such as hard rubber, phenolic condensation productsor the like. The spring II is preferably a leaf spring, and may be madeof spring metal, rubber or other material' having the desired resilientcharacteristics. 'Ihe bail I4 is preferably stiff and made of wire,although the same may take other forms and be made of differentmaterials, so long as it functions the same as that designated I4 inFigures 1 to 4, inclusive.

It will be observed that the bottom of the depression 1, at the endadjacent the spring II, is formed with a segment 2I provided with aledge 22 which substantially abuts the substantially straight edge ofthe secured end 23 of the spring II, thereby cooperating with thesecuring means I in preventing dislocation of the spring.

A somewhat modified closure and associated structure is shown in Figuresand 6 in conjunction with a one-piece tire cover 24, although insofar asthe said structure is concerned, as pointed out hereinabove, it isimmaterial Whether the cover be formed in one piece or a plurality ofpieces. In Figures 5 and 7, the cover 24 is shown to extendsubstantially to the hub C, and has anchored thereto at 25 a centeringand holding means in the form of a continuous or substantiallycontinuous ring 26 having a plurality of substantially U-shapedrearwardly offset portions 21 which are bent inwardly toward the axis ofthe ring at their bights 28. The portions 21 are formed with shoulders29 and are preferably resilient so as to yieldably engage the front endE of the hub C. The portions 28 thus serve to readily center the coverrelative to the spare wheel and tire, and the portions 21 serve toresiliently hold the cover in centered relation to the spare wheel andtire so that rattling is prevented. Any suitable means, not shown, maybe provided for holding the cover against accidental removal from thetire.

The hub cap F, which is formed to be releasably interlocked with thefront part E of the hub C, through its spring pressed latches G,cooperates with the tire cover 24 so as to be releasably mountedthereon.

The means for rendering the tire valve D accessible in Figure 5 withoutnecessitating removal or disturbance of the cover 24 includes adepressed portion 38 similar to the depressed portion 1 of thepreviously described form of the invention and provided with apreferably circular opening 3I. A closure 32 similar tothe previouslydescribed closure 8 and cooperating with the depressed portion 39 in thesame way in which the closure 8 cooperates with the depression 1 of thepreviously described form of the invention, has secured thereto as byspot-welding 33, riveting or the like, a channeled anchoring element 34through which pass the adjacent ends 35 of a bail 38. The extremities 31of the bail 36 are turned up, as are also the portions of the bail onthe side of the element 34 opposite said extremities, so as to interlockthe bail with the element and consequently with the closure or cap 32.

It will be observed that the bail 36 is similar in form to the bail I4,except that the ends 35 are close together and the bail 36 at its bightis formed with straight end portions 39 and an intermediate kink 38instead of a straight intermediate portion and kinked ends I9 as inFigures 2 to 4, inclusive. The straight portions 39 are rotatablycarried by spaced spring bearings 4I) formed in the leaf springs 4I. Theends 42 of the springs `4I are bent suciently to preclude accidentalremoval of the straight portions 39 from the bearings 4D and are curvedoutwardly to enable said straight portions to be guided into saidbearings when the parts are assembled. The springs 4I are preferablysecurely fastened to the cover 24 at their ends 43 opposite the ends 42as by spot-welding 44, riveting or the like with preferably the use ofan anchor element 45.

The springs 4I are so arranged that they constantly urge the kink 38toward the cover 24 as shown in Figure 5, wherein, by virtue of thisfunction of the springs 4I, the closure 32 is held in closed position.The closure 32 is formed with an acute bend at 46 to provide a recessfor the reception of a finger-nail, fastening nail, screw driver or likeinstrument for enabling the closure or cap 32 to be pulled forwardly soas to cause the bail 36 to swing until the kink 38 passes upwardlybeyond dead center to a position where the closure 32 will be held inopen position as shown in Figure 4 in connection with the previouslydescribed form of the invention.

The form of the invention appearing in Figures 8 and 9 is similar tothat shown in Figures 5 and 6, differing therefrom essentially in thedetails of the springs. In Figures 8 and 9, the springs 41 are curledupon themselves to provide relatively permanent bearings 48 for thestraight portions 39a of the bail 36a. Accordingly, portions of thevstructure of Figures 8 and 9 which are substantially identical withcorresponding portions of the form of the invention shown in Figures 5and 6 are vnumbered likewise.

The intermediate kink 38a of the bail 36a is shown in Figure 8 in theposition which it occupies and is held by the `springs 41 when the cap32 is 'in closed position. The .kink 38a will occupy a positioncorresponding to that occupied by the kinks I9 in Figure 4 when the cap32 is in open position.

In Figures 10 and 11 vis shown a modification somewhat .similar to thatshown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, differing therefrom essentially inthe spring structure and .in the fact that the cap or closure opensdownwardly instead of upwardly. In this modified form, the side portion58 of the tire cover is formed with a depressed portion 5I in which thecap 52 is so received that the eX- posed surface 53 of the capconstitutes a substantial continuation of the exposed outer surface ofthe cover side portion 50. The depressed portion 5I is formed with anAopening 54 which is preferably substantially circular and spaced fromthe center lof the cover portion 50 to such an extent that it may belocated in front of and thus render accessible the tire valve D fromoutside of the cover without requiring removal of the cover.

The inner part of the depressed portion 5I at 55 extends toward theouter part and is formed with a lip 56 which substantially abuts an endportion 51 of a leaf spring 58, permanently secured to the portion 55 byany suitable means, such as the rivet 59. The rivet 59 and cooperatingportions of the lip 56 and spring 58 thus prevent dislocation of thespring relative to the cover side part 50.

The spring 58 extends inwardly and is bent upon itself to form asubstantially closed loop 60 in which the straight intermediate portionI8 of the bail I4 is rotatably received. The loop 60 is so arranged withrespect to the adjacent portion of the cover 5I] as to hold the kinks I9yieldably on one or the other side, selectively, of the shortestdistance between said loop and the cover. The cooperation is in effectsubstantially the same as that of the corresponding structure of thepreviously vdescribed forms of the invention.

The free end 6I of the spring 58 is turned away from the secured end 51thereof to provide a substantially V-shaped entrance 62 whereby assemblyof the bail I4 with the spring 58 is facilitated. The loop 60, it willbe observed, provides an abutment ,portion 63 which is effective bothwhen the cap 52 is 'in closed and in open `position to effectivelyresist accidental withdrawal of the bail I4 from the spring 58.

The ends I5 of the bail I4 are secured to the closure 52 by means ofears I6 as clearly described in connection with the form of theinvention appearing in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. To facilitate graspingof the cap 52 Iso that the same may be swung open sufficiently to causethe kinks I9 to snap onto the other side of dead center, the cap 52 maybe cut away at any suitable place such as at 64 for the reception of afinger-nail, screw driver or the like. If desired, instead of cuttingaway any of the material for this purpose, the cap 52 may be formed withan acutely bent portion as shown in other forms of the invention hereindescribed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the invention in its variousforms is extremely simple, since it involves parts which may be formedwith simple manufacturing operations at low cost, may be very easilyassembled with each other and 'with the tire cover, is susceptible ofuse with either a one-piece or a multi-part tire cover embodying a sideplate of generally drum shape, and provides a simple means whereby thetire valve is made accessible without necessitating removal of the tirecover. The cap or closure may be finished the same as the associatedpart of the cover, or if desired the same may be differently ornamentedor have the initials of the owner of the car, for example, inscribedthereon. Y

When the cover is placed upon the tire, the cap is preferably in openposition so that the same may be aligned or placed in register with thefree end of the valve. In the form of the invention shown in Figures lto 4, inclusive, the side plate 2 would be so positioned, and theretaining rim l thereafter placed in position as shown in Figures 1 and2. Any time after the side plate 2 is in position, the cap or closure I5 may be snapped into closed position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Inthe form of the invention shown in Figure 5, wherein a one-piece cover24 is illustrated, by snapping the closure or cap 32 to open position,the cover 24 may be so positioned on the tire and wheel as to locate theopening 3| adjacent the free end of the valve D. Then the cover may besecured in any desired manner in proper tire and Wheel protectingposition, and the cap closed whenever desired.

The spring ngers 2l are spaced apart diametrically adjacent the disc -24to provide clearance for the collar of the hub cap F so that the lattermay be mounted on the disc. The shoulders 29 may contact the hub E asshown or may be spaced from the same.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of iconstruction may -be varied without departing from the principles ofthis invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patentgranted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the priorart.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that itmay be locatedsubstantially in front of the spare tire valve to render the sameaccessible from the front side of the plate without necessitatingremoval of the plate, a closure for said opening, and resilient meanssupporting said closure from the plate selectively in open and closedpositions.

2. In a plate member formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare Wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member Withoutnecessitatremoval of the plate member, a closure member for saidopening, spring means carried by one of said members, and anchor meansconnecting Y the other member to said spring means and having asnap-over association with said spring means so as to yieldably hold theclosure member selectively in open and closed positions.

3. In a plate member formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member Withoutnecessitating removal of the plate member, a closure member for saidopening, spring means carried by one of said members, and anchor meansconnecting the other member to said spring means so as to yieldably holdthe closure member .selectively in open and closed positions, saidanchor means and spring means being disposed on the rear side of theplate member and said plate member having a depression for the closuremember so that the plate member is substantially unobstructed when theclosure member is in closed position.

4. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having anl opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member withoutnecessitating removal of the plate, a closure for said opening andarranged to swing in front of the plate to open and closed positions,and means including spring means for holding said closure selectively inopen and closed positions, said spring means being disposed on the rearside of the plate and said plate having a depression for the closure sothat the plate is substantially unobstructed when the closure is inclosed position.

5. In a plate member formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member Withoutnecessitating removal of the plate member, a closure member for saidopening, spring means carried by one of said members, and anchor meansconnecting the other member to said spring means and having a snapoverassociation with said spring means so as to yieldably hold the closuremember selectively in open and closed positions, said anchor means beingsubstantially rigidly connected to said closure member so as to swingsaid closure member bodily in its movement to and from closed position.

6. In a plate member formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member withoutnecessitating removal of the plate member, a closure member for saidopening, spring means carried by one of said members, and anchor meansconnecting the other member to said spring means and having a snapoverassociation with said spring means so as to yieldably hold the closuremember selectively in open and closed positions, said anchor meanscomprising relatively offset portions engaged by said spring means andplate member respectively and urged toward the latter by said springmeans.

7. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate without necessitatingremoval ofthe plate, a closure for said opening, and guiding andcentering means carried vby the plate and arranged to cooperate with thespare wheel whereby to guide and center the plate as the same isassembled lWith the spare wheel so as to assist in locating the openingin front of the spare tire valve.

8. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate Without necessitatingremoval of the plate, a. closure for said opening, and guiding andcentering means carried by the central part of the plate so as tocooperate with the wheel hub Whereby to guide and center the plate asthe same is assembled with the spare wheel so as to assist in locatingthe opening in front of the spare tire valve.

9. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate without necessitatingremoval of the plate, a closure for said opening, and guiding andcentering means carried by the central part of the plate so as tocooperate with the wheel hub whereby to guide and center the plate asthe same is assembled with the spare Wheel so as to assist in locatingthe opening in front of the spare tire valve, said means affordingclearance for the collar of a hub cap to be mounted on the plate.

10. In a side plate formed to cover substantially the entire outer sideof a spare wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate without necessitatingremoval of the plate, a closure for said opening and arranged to swingin front of the plate to open and closed positions, and means includingspring means for holding said closure selectively in open and closedpositions.

l1. In a cover for a spare wheel and tire including a plate formed tocover the front of the spare Wheel and tire and provided with an openingarranged to be located so as to expose the tire valve stern from thefront when the plate is in proper wheel and tire covering position, aclosure for said opening and arranged to be swung in front of the platein its movement to open and closed positions, and means disposed at therear of the plate and mounting the closure on the plate whereby saidmeans is shielded from the front of the plate, said means beingconstructed and arranged to yieldably hold the closure selectively inopen and closed positions.

12. In a plate member formed to cover substantially the entire outerside of a spare Wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may belocated substantially in front of the spare tire valve to render thesame accessible from the front side of the plate member withoutnecessitating removal of the plate member, a closure member for saidopening, spring means carried by one of said members, and anchor meansconnecting the other member to said spring means and having a snap-overassociation with said spring means so as to yieldably support theclosure member selectively in open and closed positions, said spring andanchor means aiTording means constructed and arranged to be operativelyassembled by substantially a single relative movement.

13. In a combination including an assembly comprising a Wheel supportmounted on a vehicle and a Wheel and tire removably mounted on thesupport, a cover comprising a member shaped to shield the outer side ofthe wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may be locatedsubstantially in front of the tire valve to render the same accessiblewithout necessitating removal of said member, a closure for saidopening, and guiding and centering means carried by said member andarranged to cooperate with the assembly whereby to guide and center saidmember as the same is assembled with the assembly so as to assist inlocating the opening in front of the valve.

14, In a combination including an assembly comprising a Wheel supportmounted on a vehicle and a wheel and tire removably mounted on thesupport, a cover comprising a member shaped to shield the outer side ofthe Wheel and having an opening arranged so that it may be locatedsubstantially in front of the tire valve to render the same accessibleWithout necessitating removal of Said member, a closure for saidopening, and resiliently yieldable guiding and centering means carriedby said member and arranged to cooperate with the assembly whereby toguide and center said member as the same is assembled with the assemblyso as to assist in locating the opening in front of the valve.

15. In a spare Wheel and cover assembly, a wheel including a tire havinga valve stern, a cover including a side plate structure having a valvestem opening, and means centrally of said structure for resilientlysupporting and centering said side plate structure in the assembly so asto enable alinement of said opening with the valve stem.

ARTHUR P. FERGUESON.

